Foundation garment



FOUNDATION GARMEN'I Filed July 2l, 1967 INVENIOH. EILEEN ROCKWELL BLACK ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,515,141 FOUNDATIN GARMENT Eileen Rockwell Black, New York, N.Y., assignor to Flexnit Company, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 21, 1967, Ser. No. 655,203 Int. Cl. A41c 1/.00

U.S. Cl. 128-533 6 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE Foundation garment, such as a girdle or the like, provided with wedge-shaped elastic fabric means of greater stretch than the garment 'body disposed at the side waistline regions to enable the garment to adjust for non-standard waist sizes and to added pressures caused by shifting of the underlying esh when the wearer sits, stoops, bends, or the like, thus eliminating any tendency of the waistline region to roll over or wrinkle.

This invention relates to foundation garments and, more particularly, to foundation garments constructed and arranged to preclude roll-over or wrinkling of the marginal portions.

At the outset, it is to be expressly understood that the present invention is herein described, disclosed, illustrated and shown as applied to a panty-type girdle for examplary purposes only, and this invention is not to be deemed limited thereby. The present invention is equally applicable to substantially any other foundation garment, such as open girdles, corsets, back supports, or the like, and even to garments generally for use by both men and women, such as swimsuits, trousers, shorts, pants, or the like, and is equally applicable for use at the waistline region, or at any other opening, such as leg openings.

In a recent market research survey, wherein four hundred women were interviewed in depth for about two hours each and the results tabulated and analyzed, a significant problem regarding girdles and panty girdles was discovered. The report states: The most frequently mentioned complaint about girdles is that the waistbands roll over. Based solely on consumer complaints, it Would seem advisable to make a concerted effort to re-design the waist area of girdles so that the waist does not bind or roll over. This is, indeed, a diicult task since women are probably not willing to sacrifice any control or slimming action in return for these improvements.

Attempts to solve this problem in the past, as by the use of boning or wiring, have been generally unsatisfactory due to the discomfort caused by such boning or wiring, and the bulk and lack of flexibility caused by the honing or wiring.

Having in mind the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide garments such as foundation garments constructed and arranged to reduce the tendency of the marginal regions to roll over, bind or wrinkle.

Another primary object of the present invention, in addition to the foregoing object, is to provide such garments which are economical to manufacture and which are comfortable and durable in use.

Yet another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is to provide such garments with means to reduce any tendency of the waistline portion or waistband thereof to roll over, bind, or wrinkle.

Still another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is to provide such garments capable of automatically and immediately fr 3,515,141 Patented June 2, 1970 adjusting to added pressures caused by the flesh shifting when the wearer sits, stoops or Ibends.

Still aonther primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is to provide such garments without much loss of control or slimming power.

Another and still further primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects,

is to provide such garments which may be comfortably` Worn by persons having a waist measurement which falls between standard waist sizes, or which is non-standard with respect to the hip size.

The present invention solves the foregoing problems by the insertion of a wedge-shaped section of elastic mesh fabric at each side of the garment. The mesh has a greater degree of stretch than the elastic power net body fabrics so that it gives extra stretch at the waist when the wearer sits, stoops or bends. This extra stretch enables the garment to adjust immediately to the added pressure caused by the flesh shifting when the wearer sits, stoops or bends, thus eliminating the tendency of the waistband to roll over without much loss of control or slimming power and wherein the mesh inserts can open to add at least one-half size to the garment.

The invention resides in the combination, construction, arrangement and disposition of the various cornponent parts and elements incorporated in improved garments constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention. The present invention will be better understood and objects and important features other than those specifically enumerated above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following details and description, which when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawing describes, discloses, illustrates and shows a preferred embodiment or modification of the present invention and what is presently considered and believed to be the best mode of practicing the principles thereof. Other embodiments or modifications may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments or modifications are intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and spirit of the sub-joined claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a panty girdle constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention as seen generally from the front and side thereof;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the garment of FIG. l as seen from the rear and side thereof;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sctional plan view taken along line 3&3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial elevational cross-sectional view taken along line 4 4 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a partial elevational cross-sectional view taken along line 5 5 of FIG. 1.

With reference now to the drawing, there is shown and illustrated a foundation garment, such as a panty girdle constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally by the reference character 10. It will be noted that the principles of the present invention are illustrated in the drawing as being applied to a foundation garment of the panty girdle type, and, it is to be understood, as the ensuing description proceeds, that the present invention is equally applicable to substantially all garments. For example, the principles of the present invention are applicable to complete foundation garments, that is, to the body-encircling portions of longline brasseres, swimsuits, trousers, and the like.

The garment 10 comprises a torso-encircling portion 12 and generally vertically downwardly extending leg portions 14. The torso-encircling portion 12 is particularly adapted to encompass the lower torso of the wearer, and

specifically those portions thereof known as the abdomen, hips and derriere. The leg portions 14 are particularly adapted to encompass the legs of the wearer, and specilically that portion therof known as the thighs.

The torso-encircling portion 12 comprises front panels 16 joined together, as by stitching along a front center searnline 18 and rear panels 20, joined together along a rear center seamline 22. The front and rear panels 16 and 20, respectively, are structurally associated together, as by means of stitching, along a pair of generally vertically extending side seams 24. The panels 16 and 20 may be fabricated of any suitable material, and preferably are fabricated of a material having elastic threads extending in each of a plurality of directions. There is thus present more than adequate distensibility in each of said directions.

Each of the panels 16 and 20 comprise generally vertically downwardly extending leg-encompassing sections 26 and 28, respectively, which, in conjunction with other panels of the garment 10, to be described hereinafter, are particularly adapted to encompass the legs of the torso to define the leg-encompassing portions 14. As illustrated, inner panels 30 may be provided, preferably fabricated of the same material as the panels 16 and 20 and associated therewith, as by means of stitching extending along generally vertically extending leg seams 32. It will now be understood that the leg-encompassing portions 14 are particularly adapted to further comprise suitable fasteners 34 for fastening hosiery (not shown) relative to the garment 10.

The front and rear panels 16 and 20 may each be provided with generally curvilinear recesses 36 and 38, respectively, adapted to provide an opening in the crotch and lower rear region of the body of the wearer.

Covering the crotch recess there may be provided inner and outer crotch panels 40 and 42 structurally associated with the front and rear panels 16 and 20, as by means of stitching extending along the recesses 36 and 38. The crotch panels 40 and 42 are disposed in overlapping relationship, the inner rcotch panel -40 being structurally associated with one of the inner leg panels 30, as by means of stitching 44 and the outer crotch panel 42 being structurally associated with the other of the inner leg panels 30, as by means of stitching 46. The free edges of the overlapped panels 140 and 42 may be overturned, as illustrated, and stitched, as by means of stitching 48 to define hems 50.

It will be evident from the foregoing that the inner and outer crotch panels 40 and 42 may be readily shifted or separated, when desired, thus allowing performance of natural body functions without any obstructions or the necessity of removing the garment from the body of a wearer.

The torso-encircling portion 12 of the garment 10 may further comprise abdominal control means, such as a generally diamond shaped abdominal control panel 52 structurally associated interiorly of the front panels 16 and underlying the front seamline 18. The abdominal control panel 52 preferably comprises an elastic material having a primary vertical stretch characteristic and is structurally associated with the front panels 16, as by means of the stitching extending along the front center seamline 18 and by stitching 54 extending generally peripherally about the panel 52.

The garment may be further provided with rear control means, such as a rear control panel 56 structurally associated with the rear panels 20, as by means of the stitching extending along the rear seamline 22 and stitching 58 extending generally peripherally of the rear control panel 56. As shown, the rear control panel 56 may be configured generally to the shape of an inverted heart.

The upper marginal region, waistline region or waistband region 60 of the garment 10 may be further provided with a plurality of cut-outs, such as the wedge-shaped cut-outs 62 at each side portion thereof extending generally inwardly of the garment 10 from the upper margin or waistline 64 thereof, or generally downwardly of the waistline A64 as seen in FIG. 1. Wedge-shaped elastic fabric means, such as wedge-shaped elastic mesh fabric panels 66 may be structurally associated with the garment 10, and particularly, in standing relationshipto the cutouts 62, that is, extending thereacross and be structurally associated with the front and rear panels 16 and 20, as by means of stitching extending along the edges of the cut-outs 62, as shown.

The wedge-shaped inserts or elastic mesh fabric panels 66 are preferably fabricated of material having generally greater stretch than the front and rear panels 16 and 18 to enable the waistline region 60 of the garment 10 to give extra stretch when the wearer sits, stoops or bends. This extra stretch enables the garment to adjust immediately to the added pressure caused by the flesh shifting when the wearer sits, stoops or bends, thus eliminating the tendency of the waistband to roll over, without much loss of control or slimming power.

A secondary benefit is that a woman whose waist size falls between the standard sizes in which garments are normally made can t into the garment because the mesh inserts I66 can open to add at least one-half size to the garment. A corollary to this benet is based on the fact that most garments are graded on a so-called standard grade basis; that is, there is a definite and consistent relationship between the hip size and the waist size. While each manufacturer may have his own standards they are generally consistent throughout most of his product line. Since a woman may have a development somewhat at variance with the so-called standard development, this invention permits 'her to comfortably wear a standard rather than a custom made garment because the mesh inserts 66 can expand to adjust for slight differences in the lwearers measurements, as compared to the standard development, without much loss of control or slimming action.

To further aid in eliminating the tendency of the waistband of the garment 10 to roll over, the upper margin 64 may be disposed well above the designed top or waistline point of the garment, that is, the front and rear panels 16 and 20 may be extended Well above the designed top or waistline point, with the cut-outs 62 and mesh inserts 66 similarly disposed above the designed top or waistline point of the garment '10, as shown.

IFurthermore, the mesh inserts or wedge-shaped elastic mesh fabric panels `66 may comprise one or a plurality of layers of elastic material. For example, the inserts or wedge-shaped elastic mesh fabric panels `66 may be in serted in the cut-outs 62 as a double or folded piece of fabric, the fold line thereof being disposed at ,the upper margin I64 of the garment 10. To yet further eliminate the tendency of the waistband to roll over, the garment 10 may further comprise a piece of, for example, threequarter inch elastic web 'which is stitched to one side or layer of the folded elastic mesh l66 before folding to constrict some of the easy stretch thereof. Therefore the top or upper margin 60 will stay in place on the torso while providing a gradual easing of elastic downwardly toward the bottom of the cut-outs 62. In the particular garment shown and illustrated, these pieces have been set into the cut-outs, but a similar effect could also be effectuated by running the long easy stretch elastic all around the top of the garment 10 to become a part of the turn-back design shown and illustrated on the face of the garment.

Furthermore, to yet still further eliminate the tendency of the waistband to roll over and to reduce the loss of control or slimming power, the front and rear panels 16 and 20 may also be folded over at the upper margin 64 and stitched together, as by stitching 72, thereby providing a reinforced or doubled marginal region to the garment 10.

Similarly, the lower marginal portions of the garment 10, and particularlys the lower ends of the leg portions 14 may be provided with wedge-shaped cut-outs 74 and a panel 76 of elastic mesh fabric inserted within each of the leg cut-outs 74 and structurally associated therewith, as by means of stitching 78 and the side seam stitching 24. The lower margin of the leg sections 26 and 28 may also, if desired, be turned back or turned over and provided With a peripherally extending narrow elastic web 80 structurally associated therewith, as by means of stitching 82.

Accordingly, it is believed readily apparent that the garment constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention fulfills each and every one of the above-mentioned objects, and particularly, that the garment 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is economic to manufacture, comfortable in use, is constructed and arranged to eliminate the tendency of the waistband to roll over without much loss of control or slimming power, is capable of being comfortably worn by Wearers having dimensions falling between standard girth sizes or wearers having a non-standard development, and that the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to garments in general, and more particularly to garments other than panty-girdles.

It is to be expressly understood tha-t terminology such as upper, lower, front, or rear, upwardly and downwardly, as used in the preceding description and in the subjoined claims, along with other similar directional terminology, is to be construed and interpreted in its normal and acceptance sense. However, such terminology is not to be construed or interpreted in a limiting sense either in the preceding description or the subjoined claims, since the same is used merely to facilitate an understanding of, and to clearly set forth and particularly define the present invention.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in terms of an embodiment or modification which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limited by the precise embodiment or modification herein described, disclosed, illustrated or shoiwn, such other embodiments or modifications as may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein being intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and breadth of the claims hereto appended.

What is claimed is:

I1. Foundation garment constructed and arranged to reduce rolling, wrinkling, and the like, of the waistband portion thereof comprising, in combination, panel means fabricated of elastic power net fabric adapted to overlie the lower torso of a body 'for molding and supporting fleshy body tissues and wedge-shaped elastic fabric means at the waistband portion thereof, said wedge-shaped means having a base edge disposed along the waistline edge and a plurality of generally convergent side edges extending inwardly of the panel means downwardly of said vwaistline edge, said Wedge-shaped means comprising an elastic gore of generally greater stretch than t'he panel means extending substantially entirely of said wedge-shaped means and a narrow band of elastic material extending along the waistline edge portion thereof and having a primary stretch characteristic generally parallel said waistline edge to enable the Igarment to adjust to added pressure caused by shifting of flesh when the wearer moves particularly by expanding below the waistline edge an-d eliminate or substantially reduce any tendency of the waistband to roll over and Wrinkle during such movement.

2. -Foundation garment defined in claim 1 wherein said wedge-shaped means comprises multiple layers of elastic mesh having long easy stretch in both directions, said band being structurally associated :with only a single one of said layers.

3. Foundation garment defined in claim 1 wherein said Wedge-shaped means are of sufficient dimensional extent as to enable compensation for Waistlines having girths between the standard size of the garment and the next larger standard size and for non-standard development.

4. yFoundation garment defined in claim 2 wherein said multiple layers comprise a unitary panel folded at the waistline, said band bein-g secured with the inner layer formed thereby. i

v 5. Foundation garment defined in claim 1 wherein said elastic band is structurally associated with said gore along a single line disposed generally parallel said waistline portion.

l6. Foundation garment defined in claim S wherein said line comprises a line of stitching extending substantially adjacent said waistline edge.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,068,493 l/.l937 Kispert 128--556 2,104,277 1/1938 Schopbach et al. 128-556 2,563,308 8/1951 Chase et al. 12B-556 3,245,410 4/1966 Martin 128-541 3,255,757 `6/1966 Marino 128--528 3,406,692 10/ 1968 Pernas 128-540 ADELE M. EAG-ER, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 128-556 

